Well, If I had to rely on my PC screen to be sharp enough to ID a bogey at anything other than point blank, I'd be in trouble. The question is how much like RL is that? close I think, but in RL I bet you had just a little better recognition....not much better though. My opinion is that we need icons but greatly reduced range and info. I certainly respect opinions otherwise, and we'll all be working with the same system so there won't be any unfair advantages other than what you set up as a good pilot. Like coming out of the sun or from underneath with alot of E.
We surely want to simulate the fog of war.
Another thing that will help to ID bogeys is their context. If you see small single engine planes flying along side bombers and you know your the only squadron in your sector (fighter, bomber, or otherwise), they must be the bad guys. Dive in and get one of those famous "the poor bastard never saw me" kills and then when the stuff hits the fan (or the Spit hits the fan...or messerSCHMITT hits the fan) and the sky is filled with twisting turning planes - good luck figuring out who is who unless one flys right in front of you...just like those RL accounts you read about.
Damn, I'm gettin' wood!!! When will this thing be ready again?
Magoo